Tube making machine



INVENTOR.

I 91/1 mm ATTORNEY s Sheets-Sheet 1 min w F. HEINMETS TUBE MAKING MACHINE Sept. 5, 1950 Original Filed May 7, 1941 P 1950 F. HEINMETS 2,521,007

TUBE MAKING MACHINE Original Filed May '7, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-.3

26 no Hf H3 l i 2 [Zip/M4 ND jYz-wv/v/E 7s INVENTOR.

BY Q f- W wur ATTORNEY Sept. 5, 1950 F. HEINMETS 2,521,007

TUBE MAKING MACHINE Original Filed May '7, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fia.13

ZZ-kD/A/A N0 HE/NMETS INVENTOR.

BY Q f'm ww ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Substituted for application Serial No. 392,240, May '7, 1941. This application December 20, 1944, Serial No. 568,979

6 Claims. 1

My invention relates to tube making machines and has particular reference to machines for making continuous tubes from sheet material.

This is a substitute for my patent application, Serial No. 392,240, filed May 7, 1941 now abandoned.

My application has for its object to provide means to form a tube from a strip of sheet material by bending the strip around a mandrel and moving the thus-formed tube forward over the free end of the mandrel, the latter being supported at its rear end. For moving the tube I employ a plurality of clamps for the tube, the clamps being alternately reciprocated so that one clamp moves forward while the other clamps move rearward, the clamps being adapted to release the tube when they move rearward. A

continuous movement is thus obtained for thetube.

In a modified embodiment of my invention I employ a plurality of rollers gradually bending the strip of sheet material around the mandrel.

My machine is especially suitable for making continuous tubes from such sheet material as paper, fiber, sheet metal, plastic material, etc.

I also provide means for sealing the edges of the tube together with the application of heat, using a thermoplastic cement, or any other suitable cementing means. For tubes made of. thin sheet metal I provide means to form a locking means at the converging edges of the tube.

I also provide means for cutting off finished portions of the tube.

My invention is more fully described in the accompanying specification and drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a, sectional elevational view of my machine;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a fractional sectional elevational view of a modified machine;

Fig. 4 is a similar view of another modification;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of still another modification;

Fig. 6 is a detail View of a clamp;

Fig. 7 is a similar view of a modified clamp;

Fig. 8 is a fractional view of a modified machine;

Fig. 9 is an end view of the same;

Fig. 10 is a fractional view of a machine employing rollers;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line lll| of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is sectional view taken on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a sectional elevational view of a modified machine for making tubes from sheet metal;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of a metal strip for use in the machine shown in Fig. 13;

Figs. 15, 16 and 17 are detail views showing successive stages in the formation .of a lock seam;

Fig. 18 is a, bottom view of the machine shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 19 is a sectional view of a modified machine.

My tube making machine as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 consists of a base I supporting a bracket 2 on which is slidably mounted the rear end of a tubular mandrel 3. An additional support is provided b a guiding rod 4 attached to the mandrel and extending forward, being slidably supported in a bracket 5. The mandrel is used forforming a tube 6 from a strip 1 of a sheet material such as paper, fiber, plastic composition, metal, etc. The material is placed on the machine in a roll 8 supported on a shaft 9 in brackets l0.

The strip is delivered from the roll over a guiding roller H to gum applying rollers I2 and I3, the roller I3 being partly immersed in a tank It with a liquid glue 15 or other cementi tious compound. The upper roller I2 presses the edge of the strip against the lower roller, thereby applying the composition to the edge of the strip. The strip is then passed over rollers I6, I l and I3 through a drying chamber I9 where heat is provided by an electric heater 20 or other suitable heating device. A roller 2! is pressed against the roller I8 and is preferably positively driven by a suitable motor for moving the strips over the rollers. The strip is then passed through a former or forming die 22 consisting of a metal plate flat at the rear end where it is mounted on the raised outer ends of the upper portion of the bracket 2 under a clamping bar 23. The plate is gradually bent so as to converge around the mandrel 3 with sufficient clearance for the passage of the sheet material where it is formed into the tube 6. The former 22 is so shaped that the gummed edge of the material is placed over the other ed e for cementing the edges together. The tube slides Sunder a pressing block 24 which is pressed against the tube by a spring 25 whose tension is regulated by a screw 26. The block slides in an opening in a tubular member 21 supported on the bracket 5 mounted on the base I and supporting the front end of the former 22.

An l ctric heater 2% is provided in the tubular member for heating the gum on the paper, the heater being preferably used when a thermoplastic glue is used for cementing the edges of the tube together. The tube is pulled through the former by a ring-shaped clamp consisting of two portions 38 and 3| pivotally supported on the rod 4 between its shoulders 32. The rod 4 is slidably supported on the bracket 5, the end of the rod 4 being secured to a bracket 5I extending from the mandrel 3. The lower ends of the clamp portions engage an eccentric cam 33 secured on a shaft 34 (Fig. '7).

The shaft is rotated by an electric motor 35 through gears 36, 31 so that twice during one revolution of the shaft, the clamp istightened around th tube 6, clamping it against the front end of the mandrel 3. The shaft of the motor 35 extends through the bracket 2 and has a second pinion 38 driving a gear 39 on a shaft 48 journaled in brackets 2 and 4|. The shaft 48 drives through bevel gears 42, 43 a vertical shaft 44 provided with a cam 45 engaging a pin 46 on the end of the mandrel 3. The gears are so proportionedthat the mandrel 3 makes two complete oscillations during one revolution of the shaft 34, so that the tube '6 is clamped to the mandrel every time the latter is moved forward and released when the mandrel is moved back. The

tube 6 is therefore moved forward step by step,

remaining stationary when the mandrel is moved back.

In order to move the tube 6 continuously forward, additional clamps and mandrels are provided, a total of three sets of clamps and mandrels being, shown by way of example in Figs. 1 and 2. The second set of clamps 41, 48 is pivoted on a rod 49 attached at the rear end to a lug 58 extending from a second mandrel 5H sliding inside the first mandrel 3. The latter has a slot 52 for th lug 58. A rod 53 extends from the secondmandrel and has a pin 54 engaged by a cam 55 on a vertical shaft 55 rotated through gears 51, 58 by the shaft 48. The cam is so arranged that the second clamp, under action of an eccentric cam 59, engages the tube 5. for its forward movement at the end of the forward movement of the first clamp. Th mandrel 5| has an enlarged end portion 68 of the same diameter as the first mandrel 3.

A third set of clamps SI, .82 engages an enlarged portion 63 on the end of a third mandrel 64 sliding inside the second mandrel and having an end portion 65with a pin 66, engaged by a third cam 61 whose shaft 56 is rotated through gears 68, 69 by the shaft 48.

The mandrel 64 has a lug IE! passing through a slot II in the second mandrel and slot 52 in the first mandrel and connected with a rod 12 pivotally supporting the third set of clamps 5 I, 62 operated by an eccentric cam I3on the shaft 3 3. The third set of clamps takes hold of the tube 6 for its forward movement at the end of the forward movement of the second clamp, the tube being.

therefore uninterruptedly moved forward. Springs 14, I5 may be provided to facilitate the return movement of the mandrels.

The tube may be delivered in a continuous length or it may be cut off in pieces of a desired length by a cutting off device shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The tube is cut by a disc knife is rotating on a block 11 sliding in a corresponding slot in a disc 18. The latter is mounted on a sleeve I9 rotating and sliding on atube 89 supported on a bracket 8| extending from the base I. The disc I8 is continuously rctattd y a 3 0 2 1 82 through transmission gears 83, 84, 85, 86, a long pinion 81 and a ring gear 88 on the disc I8. The sleeve I9 has a flange 88 slidably engaged by a collar 89 which also engages a similar flange on a ring 99 sliding on th tube 80. The ring 98 has a rod 9| on which a clamp 92, 93 is supported. The clamp is pivoted on a shaft 93'. The lower ends of the clamp portions are engaged by an eccentric cam 95 on a shaft 95'. The cam is rotated by a gear 95 engaged by a long pinion 97 connected through a magnetic clutch 98 with the gear 84. The cam 95 is turned into an operative position when the clutch is energized, thereby clamping the tube 3 against a. mandrel 99 slidably fitted on an extension I89 of the third mandrel 6.4. The mandrel 99 has a sharp edge I III registering with the cutter 16. The mandrel 99, moving with the mandrel 64, moves also the knife I6 while the latter is rotated around the tube 5 by themotor 82.

The knife is pressed against the tube by acable or chain I82 attached at one end to the block H, the otherend being attached to a collar I83, sliding on the sleeve I9. .The. collar is engaged by a hook I04 at the end of a rod I sliding in a bracket I05 extending from the bracket 8|. A spring IIJ'I keeps therod undertension so that the collar I83 is pulled back when the knife is moved forward with the tube 6, the pull on the cable I02 causing the block I! to move inward along the slot in the disk I8, pressing the knife against the tubeuntil the latter is completely out off.

A modified machine is shown in Fig. 3. It has a single stationary mandrel I88 and several sets of clamps I09, H0, III and H2, and H3 and H4 slidably pivoted on a shaft H5. The ends of the clamp members having tapering openings for tapering or conical ends I I6 (Fig. 6). of rods H1, H8 and H9. The latter are alternately engaged by cranks 45, 55 and 61. The inner surfaces of the clamps are preferably providedwith layers of rubber or other suitable frictional material in order effectively to engage the tube when the clamp jaws are moved together. The rods I I1, H8 and H9 alternately move forward their clamps, forcing at the same time the tapering end portions between the clamp legsand thereby drawing ,the upper clamp ends together for clamping the tube. This form of the machine is especially suitable for making a tube of stiff cardboard or similar material which does not readily collapse under pressure of the clamps.

A variation of this machine is shown in Fig. 4 especially adapted for making tubes of thin paper or other soft material. The inner stationary mandrel I28 has an annular recess I2I for sliding collars I22. The latter are kept spaced apart by springs I23, I24, and I25, being positioned opposite corresponding clamps. I89 and H0, III and I I2, and I I3 and I I4. The clamps press the tube against their corresponding collars and pull. the tube with the collars foward. .Upon release of the clamps, the collars return to their original positions by the springs. Y

Another-modification is shown in Fig. 5. The stationary inner mandrel I26 has slots IZ'I-for pins I28, I29 and I38, connected to the collars I22. The pins are attached to the ends of rods I3 I I32 and I33 operated by cams 45 55 and 56 (not Another modification is shown in Figs. 8 and 9 especially suitable for making heavy metaltubes.

The strip I34, which may be a "relatively thick steelpl'ate, heated if necessary, is rolled into a tube in a die block I35 having a tapering *aper ture I36 and continuously rotated by a gear I3! engaging gear teeth I38 on the periphery of the block. in order to prevent 'tw isting of the strip i 34, the mandrel 139 inside i sj'alise rotated as by a gear I40 engaging gear teeth 'I'4I on the nandrel, the rotation being in direction opposite in the direction of rotation of the die block I35. The edges of the strip I34 may be beveled as shown in Fig. 9 and welded together by a block I 34.

Another modification is shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12. The strip I34 is formed into a tube by a series of rollers I42, I43, I44 and I45. The rollers have progressively changing radius of curvature, angular rollers I46 being used for bending the edges of the strip around the mandrel I39. The edges of the strip may be beveled as shown, so as to form a smooth joint which may be welded or soldered, or the edges may simply overlap each other, in which case the lower roller I45 may have a corresponding recess.

Still another modification is shown in Figs. 13 to 18 inclusive, specially adapted for making seamed tin tubes. The tubular mandrel I46 is reciprocated by an eccentric 45 together with a clamp 30, 3| operated by a rod 4. The mandrel is hollow, a stationary die block I 4? being supported inside the mandrel on a rod I48 extending to the rear of the mandrel and supported on a suitable bracket (not shown). A strip of tin or other metal I43 is provided with a flange I50 at one edge (Fig. 14) and a double flange II at the other edge. The strip is fed through a former 22 in such a manner that the flange I50 enters the flange I5I as shown in Fig. 17. The thusformed seam is drawn through a corresponding slot I52 (Fig. 18) in the block I41, the slot being so shaped as to bring the flanges together as shown in Fig. and to bend them to one side as shown in Fig. 16. A slot I53 is provided in the former 22 for the block I47.

The seam may be formed on the outside as shown in Fig. 19, a die block I54 being placed outside the former for flanges I55 and I56 of the strip I49. This arrangement is especially suitable for metal tubes containing a paper or other insulating tube inside. The tube I49, as shown in Fig. 18, can be sprayed inside with a lacquer or other suitable protective substance, delivered through a stationary pipe I51 passing through a hole in the inner mandrel I48. The pipe I5! is closed at the end and provided with spraying apertures I58.

It will be understood that various features and principles of each of the embodiments of the invention above described or referred to may be utilized or substituted in the other embodiments.

While the invention has been described in de tail with respect to certain particular preferred examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and further modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be sesured by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for making tubes comprising a base; a mandrel slidably supported at its rear end on the base; means to deliver a continuous strip of sheet material to the mandrel; means to form a tube around the mandrel of the sheet during their rqrw'a a mo 'v'eme and to d1 sen= gage the time when the mandrel art-less and the clamps are moved rearward, thereby mg tube to substantially eohtisubuu me e rearward dame mandrel. v v

2. A for making tubes sets" base, 1 ituti rially eictending' mandrel sup"- ported above the base, means at one end of the mandrel to deliver a continuous strip of sheet material to the mandrel, means to form a tube of sheet material around the mandrel, collars slidably mounted on the mandrel and corresponding to the inner diameter of the tube and located Within the formed portion of the tube, a plurality of clamp means, means to successively reciprocate the clamp means along the mandrel, means to successively operate the clamp means to engage the tube between the clamp means and the collars at one extreme of their reciprocating movement and to release the same at the opposite extreme thereby continuously moving the tube.

3. A machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein the collars slide along the mandrel on engagement of the tube between the clamp means and the collars and comprising in addition, means to restore the collars to their original position on release of the clamp means.

4. A machine for making tubes comprising a base; a mandrel supported on the base; means to deliver a continuous strip of a sheet material to the mandrel; means to bend the strip around the mandrel so as to join the edges of the strip, thereby forming a tube, the mandrel having an annular recess under the formed tube; a plurality of collars slidably supported on the recessed portion of the mandrel, the collars being of a substantiall same diameter as the mandrel; springs on the recessed mandrel portion for keeping the collars in spaced relation to each other; annular clamps on the outside of the tube opposite the collars; and means to alternately reciprocate the clamps, the clamps being adapted to be tightened against the tube during forward movement, thereby clamping the tube against the corresponding collar, the clamps being released during rearward movement, the tube being thereby continuously moved forward.

5. A machine for making tubes comprising a base; a mandrel supported on the base; means to deliver a continuous strip of a sheet material to the mandrel; means to bend the strip around the mandrel so as to join the edges of the strip, thereby forming a tube, the mandrel being formed of several successive portions in axial alignment with each other, each portion being adapted to be reciprocated axially while the other portions remain stationary; means to alternately reciprocate the mandrel portions; annular clamps on the outside of the tube opposite the mandrel portions; means to reciprocate the clamps together with the corresponding mandrel portions; and means to render the clamps operative during forward movement and inoperative during rearward movement, thereby continuously moving the tube forward.

6. A machine for making tubes comprising a base; a mandrel supported on the base; means 7 7 to deliver a continuous strip of a sheet material to the mandrel; means to bend the strip around the mandrel so as to join the edges of the strip, thereby forming a tube, the mandrel being formed of several successive portions in axial alignment with each other, shanks extending from the mandrel portions to the rear; eccentrics rotatively supported on the base at the rear of the mandrel operatively connected with the' respective shanks; means to rotate the eccentrics, the eccentrics being arranged toralternately reciprocate the shanks; and means to clamp the tube to a forward moving mandrel portion, thereby continuously moving the tube forward.

. FERDINAND .HEINMETS.

8 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent? UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Number Name Date 7 7 445135 Denney Jan. 20, 1891 556,857 Madden Mar. 24, 1896 m FOREIGN PATENTS I a Number Country 7 Date 63,039 Germany July 2, 1892 

